USC.edu

Oscar Aparicio

Professor of Biological Sciences
Oscar Aparicio
Email oaparici@usc.edu Office RRI 219B Office Phone (213) 821-1269

Research & Practice Areas

Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, DNA replication, Genetics, S. cerevisiae

Center, Institute & Lab Affiliations

  • USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Member

Education

  • Ph.D. Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, University of Chicago, 12/1993
  • B.S. Microbiology, University of Florida, 5/1987
    • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 11/01/1994-08/31/1999

  • Tenure Track Appointments

    • Professor and Section Head, University of Southern California, 2018 –
    • Professor, University of Southern California, 2012 –
    • Associate Professor, University of Southern California, 2005 – 2012
    • Assistant Professor, University of Southern California, 09/01/1999 – 05/01/2005

    PostDoctoral Appointments

    • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 11/01/1994 – 08/31/1999

    Other Employment

    • Congressional Science Fellow, American Society for Microbiology, 09/01/1993-08/31/1994

  • Summary Statement of Research Interests

    The Aparicio lab studies the mechanisms of cell cycle and checkpoint regulation of chromosomal DNA replication as well as how the three-dimensional organization and chromatin structure of chromosomes regulates this process. We use cell biological, molecular, biochemical, genetic, and genomic approaches using the model organism, S. cerevisiae (aka: Baker’s yeast). We have recently identified the Forkhead Box (Fox) proteins Fkh1 and Fkh2 as regulators of replication origin initiation, and are investigating their role in regulating the dynamics and three-dimensional organization of chromosomes. We also work on the development of methods to study genomic activities such as protein-DNA interactions that underlie fundamental processes such as DNA replication and epigenetic control.

    Research Keywords

    DNA replication, genome dynamics and structure, chromatin, checkpoints, cell cycle, replication origins, replication forks, budding yeast, S. cerevisiae

  • Administrative Appointments

    • Section Head, 10/01/2018 – 08/15/2021